2025 Adventure Photos
Meet Oscar Braulick, an incredible 8‑year‑old from Eagan, MN. Oscar has underwent surgery to remove a Glial Neuroma Spinal Tumor and continues to bravely face scoliosis and other health challenges.
This fall, Oscar and his family enjoyed a magical week at Give Kids The World Village in Florida. They explored Disney World, Universal Studios, and SeaWorld—creating unforgettable memories together.
We are so inspired by Oscar’s courage and joy. Please join us in celebrating this amazing young man and his family. We can't wait to hear you tell us about it at our banquet March 7th!
15-year-old Josiah “JJ” Schroeder from Caledonia, MN has faced more than his share of challenges—diagnosed with T-cell Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (ALL), enduring 3½ years of chemotherapy, multiple seizures, and even a stroke.
We are thrilled to share some incredible news: JJ just returned from a whitetail deer hunt and proudly bagged this beautiful buck!
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Way to go, JJ! Your strength and spirit inspire us all.
We're looking forward to presenting this mount to you at our banquet March 7th!
We’re proud to celebrate Brody Muellerleile of Morristown, MN — one of our incredible Minnesota Outdoor Adventure Foundation recipients — who just harvested a beautiful mule deer in Colorado!
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Brody has lived with Cystic Fibrosis since birth, but that hasn’t stopped him from chasing adventure with courage and determination. His spirit inspires us all.
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Congratulations, Brody
Thank you to everyone who helps make these unforgettable experiences possible!
Joe Adams of Pillager MN, a wounded veteran had a successful bison hunt in South Dakota in October.
Joe lives with Meniere’s disease, a condition linked to his combat service. Despite these challenges, Joe embraced the wild, forged new memories, and came home with stories — and a trophy that he'll carry for life.
We can’t wait to showcase the European mounts of these bison at our upcoming banquet on March 7th.
Please join us in congratulating him.
Gabe’s Hunt of a Lifetime!
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18-year-old Gabe Kessel was a 4-year varsity wrestler and team captain at White Bear Lake High School. In April of his junior year, he was diagnosed with a rare and aggressive brain cancer—and given 8–12 months to live. That was 17 months ago.
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In early October, on an all-expense-paid hunt of a lifetime in Colorado, Gabe brought home this incredible trophy bull elk. We’re honored to be part of this unforgettable adventure.
Gabe, your strength and spirit inspire us all. Congratulations!!
A Hunt to Remember!
Meet Jakob Ness from Campbell, MN — a courageous survivor of APL leukemia and a true outdoorsman at heart. Thanks to the Minnesota Outdoor Adventure Foundation, Jakob enjoyed an all-expense-paid deer hunt at Steve Porter's Trophy Whitetails.
He returned with an unforgettable experience... and this massive buck!
Huge congratulations to Jakob — your strength, spirit, and smile inspire us all! We can't wait to see the mount at our annual banquet!
Brody Samson of Hibbing, MN, lives with FAHN (Fatty Acid Hydroxylase-Associated Neurodegeneration). He went on a fishing trip of a lifetime at Devil’s Lake, ND!
Joined by his dad and brother, and guided by the legendary Big John Adams, the crew reeled in daily limits, shared laughs, and made memories that will last forever.
11-year-old Nathan Herber has faced an incredibly tough journey after being diagnosed with high-risk T-cell lymphoblastic lymphoma. Following 2-½ years of chemotherapy and time on life support, Nathan has shown remarkable strength.
Nathan and his family enjoyed a Brainerd Lakes adventure—staying at The Lodge at Brainerd Lakes, with unlimited passes to their indoor waterpark, and spending time on the water with guide Nate Berg. They made unforgettable memories together!
Way to go Nathan!
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In 2019, Tabitha Valenzuela of North Mankato, MN, was diagnosed with an Optic Pathway Glioma brain tumor. After undergoing brain surgery, she lives courageously with lasting challenges, including blindness in her left eye.
Recently, Tabitha and her family enjoyed a much-needed getaway at Ruttger’s Birchmont Lodge in Bemidji. Thanks to Dan Reiners of Cedar Swamp Guide Service, they spent time on the water, reeled in plenty of fish, and created unforgettable memories together!
In 2021, Rourke Wacholz of Ellendale, MN, was diagnosed with leukemia. He underwent radiation treatment and an incredible 1,054 days of chemotherapy. Rourke finally completed his chemo journey in 2024.
We are thrilled to announce that Rourke and his family just returned from a Brainerd Lakes Adventure! They enjoyed a couple of days of guided fishing with Nate Berg Fishing Guides, plus a relaxing stay at The Lodge at Brainerd Lakes with unlimited passes to their indoor waterpark.
What great memories were created! Congratulations Rourke!
22-year-old Laura Christnagel of Maple Grove was diagnosed with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy at just 3 years old. She underwent open-heart surgery in 2018 and received a life-saving heart transplant in September 2021.
Laura and her family recently returned from a week at White Eagle Resort on beautiful Lake Vermilion. During their stay, Laura spent two days on the water with guides Dave Schueck and Jason Freed. The family also had full access to a pontoon, kayaks, and a jet ski.
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Congratulations, Laura!
11 year old Ella Banon from Faribault, MN has been recovering from brain cancer. She's undergone brain surgery, chemo, and radiation treatment.
To give them a much needed break, Ella and her family enjoyed an all expense paid adventure to Give Kids the World Village at Disney World!
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They saw Disney World, Universal and Sea World.
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Great to see that Smile!
In July, Joseph Row from Winona, MN went on a fishing Adventure to Rainy Lake.
Joseph was diagnosed with leukemia and has had many hospital stays and chemotherapy treatments.
He stayed at the Thunderbird Lodge on Rainy Lake and fished with Minnesota fishing Hall of Fame legend Mike Williams.
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Congratulations Joseph!
Mid-July was our annual group charter fishing trip held on Lake of the Woods. We sent 22 of our recipients and their guests on a weekend of charter fishing and fun at Sportsmen's Lodge out of Baudette.
Thank you to all our donors for helping to make trips like these possible!
In July, Danielle Carver from Carlos, MN went on a 1 week adventure to White Eagle Resort on beautiful Lake Vermilion.
Danielle had guided fishing with Jason Freed & Justin Chromy from Leisure Outdoor Guide Service.
Congratulations Danielle!
After going through a bone marrow transplant last year, Ryan Lindstrom went on a family houseboat adventure with Lake Vermilion Houseboats.
While on their adventure, they had guided fishing with David Schueck of Sunset Glow Guide Service and Justin Chromy of Leisure Outdoor Guide Service.
They caught a mess of fish and created great family memories.
Jack Zimmerman enjoyed a guided fishing adventure to Lake of the Woods in June.
Jack was a U.S. Army Airborne Infantryman who lost both legs in Afghanistan after stepping on an IED, and is now a motivational speaker.
Jack went on this adventure along with his 2 sons. They all caught multiple huge walleyes and created memories they will never forget.
Congratulations Jack!
In early June, the Outdoor Adventure Foundation hosted our annual Minnesota Twins weekend!
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We took past recipients and families to see the Twins on Friday night and Saturday.
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Unfortunately the Twins didn't win, but it was still a great time!
Our first adventure of the year and it was a great one! 13 year old Ethan Simones from Hastings, MN was on a Manitoba black bear hunt with DOA Outfitters in early May. Ethan and his dad, Peter, enjoyed the hunt and Ethan got this 392 pound beast!
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What a great adventure! Congrats Ethan!
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We can't wait to see it at our banquet in March, 2026.